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A cactus (pl.: cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae (/ k æ ˈ k t eɪ s i aɪ,-s iː iː /), a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species of the order Caryophyllales.
- Overview
- Physical characteristics
- Uses
cactus, (family Cactaceae), flowering plant family (order Caryophyllales) with nearly 2,000 species and 139 genera. Cacti are native through most of the length of North and South America, from British Columbia and Alberta southward; the southernmost limit of their range extends far into Chile and Argentina. Mexico has the greatest number and variet...
Cacti are succulent perennial plants. Cacti generally have thick herbaceous or woody chlorophyll-containing stems. Cacti can be distinguished from other succulent plants by the presence of areoles, small cushionlike structures with trichomes (plant hairs) and, in almost all species, spines or barbed bristles (glochids). Areoles are modified branches, from which flowers, more branches, and leaves (when present) may grow.
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Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
In most species, leaves are absent, greatly reduced, or modified as spines, minimizing the amount of surface area from which water can be lost, and the stem has taken over the photosynthetic functions of the plant. Only the tropical genera Pereskia and Pereskopsis, both vines, have conventional-looking functional leaves, while the leaves of the Andean Maihuenia are rounded, not flattened. The root systems are generally thin, fibrous, and shallow, ranging widely to absorb superficial moisture.
Cacti vary greatly in size and general appearance, from buttonlike peyote (Lophophora) and low clumps of prickly pear (Opuntia) and hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus) to the upright columns of barrel cacti (Ferocactus and Echinocactus) and the imposing saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Most cacti grow in the ground, but several tropical species—including leaf cactus (Epiphyllum), Rhipsalis, and Schlumbergera—are epiphytes, growing on other plants; others live on hard substrates such as rocks, while yet others climb far up trees. Epiphytic species tend to have thin, almost leaflike flattened stems. The appearance of the plant varies also according to whether the stem surface is smooth or ornamented with protruding tubercles, ridges, or grooves.
The primary method of reproduction is by seeds. Flowers, often large and colourful, are usually solitary. All genera have a floral tube, often with many petal-like structures, and other less colourful and almost leaflike structures; the tube grows above a one-chambered ovary. A style topped by many pollen-receptive stigmas also arises from the top of the ovary. The fruit is usually a berry and contains many seeds. Soon after pollination, which may be effected by wind, birds, insects, or bats, the entire floral tube detaches from the top of the ovary to leave a prominent scar.
Cacti are widely cultivated as ornamentals. In addition, various species, notably prickly pears and chollas (Opuntia and Cylindopuntia, respectively), are cultivated as food. In Central and South America, species of Opuntia, Cereus, and others are used as living fences, and wood from columnar cacti is used as fuel in some desert regions. In times o...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Feb 22, 2024 · 74 Types of Cactus With Pictures – Identification Guide (Indoors and Outdoors) By Jessica Nolan, Gardening Expert Gardening And Landscaping. Many types of cactus plants are easy to grow and care for and can make great houseplants. There is a wide variety of cacti to choose from if you want to grow this type of plant.
- Lisa Hallett Taylor
- Beavertail Cactus (Optunia basilaris) Beavertail is a prickly pear cactus with pads that are mostly blue-green. It grows to about 20 inches high and up to 6 feet wide.
- Blue Flame Cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) Blue flame cactus is also known as bilberry cactus, garambullo, or whortleberry. It can grow to 15 feet high and 6 to 10 feet wide.
- Candelabra Cactus (Myrtillocactus cochal) Candelabra cacti can reach about 10 feet tall and wide. Their cup-shaped flowers open during the day and close in the evening; the fruits are edible, although somewhat acidic.
- Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) Claret cup cactus is also called hedgehog, Mojave mound cactus, and kingcup cactus. It has the potential to grow to 3 feet high and up to 6 feet wide.
Sep 19, 2023 · Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques. There are many types of cactus plants you can grow at home. Here's what you need to know about the different types of cactus, including care tips.
May 1, 2024 · Indoor Cactus Care. Among the toughest of all houseplants, desert and forest cacti have a unique, stark beauty, making them a statement piece for any windowsill or brightly lit room. Here are the main care requirements for growing an indoor cactus : Place indoor cacti in the sunniest spot in your home; they require bright sunlight.
Sep 19, 2023 · You’ll discover how to grow cactus plants indoors or outdoors with tips on where to plant them. You’ll also learn about how much water, soil, sunlight, and fertilizer they need, as well as propagation, flowering, temperature, and more, so you can keep them thriving for many years to come.
